How to Add a Tray Ceiling to an Existing Basement Ceiling

Survey your basement and take note of the location of heating, ventilation and air conditioning pipes, ducts and wires. Determine if you can construct a tray ceiling around these elements while allowing access to them in case of problems and for maintenance. Also, make sure your basement ceiling is high enough for a tray ceiling by checking your local building code.

Determine the configuration of the tray ceiling that will best fit your basement ceiling. If HVAC lines are around the perimeter of the existing ceiling, building a tray around the perimeter can hide these lines

Construct a box frame around the periphery of the ceiling to add a recessed tray ceiling to the existing basement ceiling. Use studs and a screw gun to fasten the studs to the ceiling joists. Attach drywall to the frame structure then tape and mud the drywall.

Add rope lighting to your tray ceiling by installing crown molding especially designed to hold the rope light. Measure the ceiling carefully before buying the crown molding and add a little more to account for waste, mitered corners and matching patterns. Divide the total number of linear feet of the ceiling by the molding length to figure out how much to buy. If, for example, the molding is sold in 8-foot lengths, divide the number of linear feet by eight. Indirect rope lighting around the periphery of the ceiling will create a warm glow throughout the room and eliminate glare. This lighting effect provides high visual impact. Exaggerate the tray ceiling further by adding tone-on-tone paint to emphasize its dimensions or a mural.